All You Need to Know About the ETA: New Travel Permit for the Channel Islands

Travel formalities at British borders are changing. If you plan to visit the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, or Herm), a new digital entry rule is coming into effect. This aligns with the system already in place for entering the UK. The process will be identical if you intend to travel to the UK or other British Crown Dependencies. The new requirement: securing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter any of these territories.

Following our previous update, authorities confirmed a rollout in 2026. Read on for full details and specifics on obtaining this travel document, which will allow entry to these islands.

Timeline for Implementation: Key Dates

The ETA rollout for the Channel Islands follows a precise schedule:
9 April 2026: Official opening of online applications for travelers heading directly to the islands.
23 April 2026: The ETA becomes mandatory for all direct routes (ferry or flight) from abroad to Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.

Good to know: If your journey transits through London or another UK city, the ETA system has applied to you since February 2026.

Who Needs to Apply for an ETA?

An ETA is not a visa but a pre-travel digital authorisation. It applies to short-stay visa-exempt nationals, including Europeans and many other nationalities.

✅ You need an ETA if:
• You are an EU citizen (French, Belgian, Swiss, etc.).
• You hold a passport from a third country whose citizens are visa-exempt for the UK.
• You plan a tourist or business stay of less than six months.

❌ You are exempt if:
• You hold a British or Irish passport.
• You already possess a valid UK visa (for work, study, or family).
• You legally reside in Ireland (subject to specific CTA transit conditions).

Are you a French national boarding a ferry to Jersey or Guernsey from Saint-Malo, Granville, or Carteret?

Local authorities have confirmed French travelers on day trips to the islands are not required to obtain an ETA when traveling with a French national identity card. Always verify updates with your ferry operator before departure.

The introduction of the ETA will not affect the French ID card system for day-trippers to the bailiwicks. This exemption applies solely to French nationals on day trips via regular maritime routes.

Official States of Guernsey website

Practical Details: Cost, Validity, and Application Process

The goal is to streamline border crossings through advance biometric checks.

How to Apply for Your ETA

Everything is done online. Submit your request via the "UK ETA" mobile app (available on Google Play or the App Store) or through the GOV.UK official portal.

You’ll need to scan your passport, take a "selfie," and answer some security questions. Once approved, the ETA is digitally linked to your passport number.

Understanding the Channel Islands: A Unique Archipelago

Although located just off the coast of Normandy, the Channel Islands are neither part of France nor the UK, and have never been part of the EU. They are British Crown Dependencies—self-governing states that share the same monarch as the UK but have their own parliaments, laws, and currencies. This archipelago, primarily composed of Jersey and Guernsey, blends Norman culture with British traditions. You’ll drive on the left and enjoy afternoon tea, yet street signs are in French, and local history reflects deep ducal roots.

Read our tip: Do not confuse the ETA with a visa. If you are a national of a country that requires a visa (such as many in Africa or Asia), the ETA does not apply to you—continue to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa through UK consular authorities.

Watch this space. Our agency will soon offer support for obtaining the ETA to travel to the Channel Islands.